A Spring trip across the Channel has for years been
our way of re-awakening - or shocking - our muscles into
ultra-distance mode again after the winter break from long distance
competition. The French season of long-distance walks revolves
around the qualifying races for the Paris to Colmar ultradistance
classic. This long and exhausting race-walk across France is held
each year in June, and walkers have to qualify for selection with
good performances in a programme of events held in several parts of
France through the Spring and Autumn. Richard and I walked the
Colmar road for the three years 1990-92. Although not seeking
selection for 'the big one' after that, we continued to walk a
number of selection races each year just for the pleasure of
returning to walk these excellent events in France.
In 2006 and 2007, the first race of the French
season, in Bourges at the beginning of March, provided a chilly kick
start to our year. In 2008, our busy work schedules ruled out
Bourges, so we signed up for the next event, in Chateau Thierry at
the end of March. These events, typically, take place over a 24 hour
period from Saturday to Sunday, during which the men must try to
walk 200 kms (or as far as they can) and the women 170 kms.
We have been to Chateau Thierry before. The
reputation of the event is that it is hilly. The name says it all -
the medieval castle towers above the town while the river Marne
flows along below. The walker must climb to pay homage to the castle
on every circuit before dropping back down to walk along the river
side. A couple of small loops of the town centre, led by the local
brass band and majorettes in all shapes and sizes, is followed by 43
circuits for women and 52 for men!
In the men's race, 3 men led by a young Russian,
Dvoretski, completed 200kms, followed by others at lesser distances.
In the ladies' race, 2 ladies completed 170kms, including Sandra
Brown just 10 minutes behind the leading French walker Kora
Boufflert. Remarkably, Sandra and Kora never saw each other again
after the start, being on the same lap for the whole distance. Kora
was looked after by her husband Eric, and, after a good 100kms,
Richard stopped and gave welcome support to Sandra. As we had no
support, and had travelled by train without tent, table etc,
Richard's help with the instant mashed potato and warm cups of tea
was much appreciated.
At the start of May, one of the nicest of the French
races beckoned - 200/170 kms on tarmac paths around a beautiful lake
on the edge of the old Burgundian capital of Dijon. We couldn't
resist, especially when we knew that Ilford AC's Kevin Marshall was
using the race as part of his warm up for the 2008 P-C. The Eurostar
and very fast French railways soon whistled us to Dijon where the
weather was perfect for a bank holiday weekend - hot and sunny.
Perfect if you were strolling around the lake with an ice cream
perhaps, but not so perfect for a long-distance race! The heat took
its toll, with many retirements and tummy upsets. Unusually, none of
the men managed to complete 200 kms, including this year's P-C
favourite, the Russian Alexei Rodionov. Kevin, with 174.3 kms in 24
hours, was fourth in the men's race.
In the ladies' race, the competition was between
three experienced P-C walkers, the Russian favourite for this year's
P-C, Marina Tarassavich, the French Claudine Anxionnat, and the 'Britannique'
Sandra Brown. Though Marina was the pre-race favourite to win,
Sandra soon took the lead and held it, winning by a margin of nearly
1.5 hours and in a new course record for 170kms. Sandra has raced in
Dijon 5 times and won 5 times, over a span of 18 years. Richard
suffered in the heat and succumbed to stomach problems after almost
100kms, so, again, helpfully gave support to 'madame'
